ExxonMobil Seeks to Restart Three Platforms Idled After Refugio Oil Spill
Dan Bacher | indybay.org | 2020-05-17
"On the anniversary of this deadly oil spill, in the middle of a public health crisis, Santa Barbara should embrace a clean energy future," said Kristen Monsell, oceans legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity. "We need to end offshore drilling, not bring it back to life with another dirty oil pipeline."indybay.org/newsitems/2020/05/15/18833050.php

Exploiting Pandemic, Trump Admin Weighs Banning Immigration Indefinitely
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-05-16
Earlier this week, the Trump administration started hinting that the president's "temporary" ban on immigration, rushed into effect in late April as a part of the pandemic response, was about to be extended indefinitely. | With the country entirely preoccupied by the public health and economic catastrophes, and with protest all but impossible given the dangers of congregating in large crowds, Tr…truthout.org/articles/exploiting-pandemic-trump-admin-weighs-banning-immigration-indefinitely/

Exploiting Pandemic, Trump Admin Weighs Banning Immigration Indefinitely
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-05-16
Earlier this week, the Trump administration started hinting that the president's "temporary" ban on immigration, rushed into effect in late April as a part of the pandemic response, was about to be extended indefinitely. | With the country entirely preoccupied by the public health and economic catastrophes, and with protest all but impossible given the dangers of congregating in large crowds, Tr…truthout.org/articles/exploiting-pandemic-trump-admin-weighs-banning-immigration-indefinitely/

'A bad joke': Trio admits to photo-bombing Russian WWII site with Nazi pics after police raidrt.com | 2020-05-16
Three suspects have admitted to uploading photos of Third Reich leaders to a website honoring Soviet veterans of World War II. They admitted it was a lame joke

'A bad joke': Trio admits to photo-bombing Russian WWII site with Nazi pics after police raidrt.com | 2020-05-16
Three suspects have admitted to uploading photos of Third Reich leaders onto a website honoring Soviet veterans of World War II. They admitted it was a lame joke

'A bad joke': Trio held after police raid admit to photo-bombing Russian WWII honor-roll site with Nazi picsrt.com | 2020-05-16
Three suspects have admitted to uploading photos of Third Reich leaders to a website honoring Soviet veterans of World War II. They admitted it was a lame joke

ExxonMobil Seeks to Restart Three Platforms Idled After Refugio Oil Spill
Dan Bacher | indybay.org | 2020-05-16
"On the anniversary of this deadly oil spill, in the middle of a public health crisis, Santa Barbara should embrace a clean energy future," said Kristen Monsell, oceans legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity. "We need to end offshore drilling, not bring it back to life with another dirty oil pipeline."indybay.org/newsitems/2020/05/15/18833050.php

The Mouse Roars: Australia, China and a Coronavirus Independent Inquiryahtribune.com | 2020-05-16
Australia matters little when it comes to international muscle. It is the retainer and pretender of power, a middle-distance runner who runs out of puff on the final stride. The big boys and girls look, agog. Why did you even bother? In the recent international relations shouting match (for Australia, shouting; for China, sotto voce with a touch of menace), you are left with a remarkable impression that Australia has the sort of heft to terrify opponents. It never has and never will, except when it comes to victimising refugees and bullying neighbouring states in the Pacific, whom they supposedly claim to have…ahtribune.com/world/asia-pacific/australia/4156-coronavirus-independent-inquiry.html

"The Wuhan of the Americas": U.S. Deports COVID-19-Positive Immigrants to Haiti & Guatemala
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-05-15
The United States continues to deport thousands during the coronavirus pandemic, causing a dangerous spread of COVID-19 to Central America and the Caribbean. We speak with Haitian American novelist Edwidge Danticat, who says "U.S. deportations to Haiti during coronavirus pandemic are 'unconscionable,'" and go to Guatemala City for an update from reporter José Alejandro García Escobar.www.democracynow.org/2020/5/15/us_deportations_haiti_guatemala_coronavirus

Arabs, UN Must Move to Swiftly Protect the Status of Palestinian Refugees
Ramzy Baroud | counterpunch.org | 2020-05-15
'Heinous racism,' is how the Geneva-based Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor described a recent decision by Lebanese authorities to bar Palestinian refugee expats from returning to Lebanon. Lebanon's restrictions on its ever-diminishing population of Palestinian refugees is nothing new. However, this event is particularly alarming as it may be linked to a long-term official policy regarding…counterpunch.org/2020/05/15/arabs-un-must-move-to-swiftly-protect-the-status-of-palestinian-refugees/

Tampa students demand COVID-19 relief for undocumented students
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-05-15
Tampa, FL – On May 14, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a car protest at the University of South Florida (USF) to demand COVID-19 relief funds for undocumented students. USF has offered no financial help for undocumented students during the pandemic and the only COVID-19 aid for students is the CARES Act Fund, for which DACA and undocumented students are ineligible. | Students and SDS members parked near the USF president's mansion on campus for socially-distanced speeches and chants demanding that USF provide relief for undocumented students. Simon Rowe, a member of SDS stated, "DACA stude…fightbacknews.org/2020/5/15/tampa-students-demand-covid-19-relief-undocumented-students

My Birth Control Experience Is Why I'm Fighting to Ensure Access for Everyone
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-05-15
The issue of birth control is particularly important to me as a woman of color from an immigrant community in Pennsylvania. Beyond my own experience, I also understand the difficulties other marginalized communities face in obtaining this essential health care. | The first time I sought birth control, the provider lectured me based on stereotypes she had of people from my "culture." She also insisted repeatedly that I choose a birth control method which I was not comfortable with because it w…truthout.org/articles/my-birth-control-experience-is-why-im-fighting-to-ensure-access-for-everyone/

How Economic Misery Helped Fuel the Syrian War
Louis Proyect | counterpunch.org | 2020-05-15
Ever since the civil war began in Syria in early 2011, the left has largely ignored the social and economic circumstances that led to a conflict costing over a half-million deaths and the migration–internal and external–of half the population. The tendency was to see Syria as a piece on a global chessboard with…counterpunch.org/2020/05/15/how-economic-misery-helped-fuel-the-syrian-war/

For Cuba and Venezuela, US Silence May Not Be Golden
W. T. Whitney | counterpunch.org | 2020-05-15
The U. S. President and his Secretary of State frequently expound about the supposed failings of enemies abroad. Recently they've blasted China's response to the pandemic, Venezuela's dictatorship, Cuba's "slave doctors" overseas, and even Iranian border guards beating up on Afghan migrants. But they've been mostly silent about two recent disruptions of the imperialist status…counterpunch.org/2020/05/15/for-cuba-and-venezuela-us-silence-may-not-be-golden/

US Deports COVID-Positive Immigrants to Haiti and Guatemala, Spreading Virus
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-05-15
The United States continues to deport thousands during the coronavirus pandemic, causing a dangerous spread of COVID-19 to Central America and the Caribbean. We speak with Haitian American novelist Edwidge Danticat, who says "U.S. deportations to Haiti during coronavirus pandemic are 'unconscionable,'" and go to Guatemala City for an update from reporter José Alejandro García Escobar. | TRANSCRIPT: | This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form. | AMY GOODMAN: We turn now…truthout.org/video/us-deports-covid-positive-immigrants-to-haiti-and-guatemala-spreading-virus/

Arabs, UN Must Move to Swiftly Protect the Status of Palestinian Refugees
Ramzy Baroud | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-05-14
'Heinous racism,' is how the Geneva-based Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor described a recent decision by Lebanese authorities to bar Palestinian refugee expats from returning to Lebanon. Lebanon's restrictions on its ever-diminishing population of Palestinian refugees is nothing new. However, this event is particularly alarming as it may be linked to a long-term official policy regarding …dissidentvoice.org/2020/05/arabs-un-must-move-to-swiftly-protect-the-status-of-palestinian-refugees/

Fruit pickers, garment workers strike as opposition grows to reopening US economywsws.org | 2020-05-14
Migrant workers in the state of Washington and garment workers at a Mississippi pillow-making factory are striking as the number of job actions demanding safe conditions surpasses 200.www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/05/14/work-m14.html

Guatemala: Doctors Demand Better Working Conditionstelesurenglish.net | 2020-05-14
Guatemalan health workers demanded May 13 better working conditions, medical supplies, and biosafety equipment. | RELATED: | Guatemala Receives Migrants Deported from US | According to local news media, doctors in the station hospital located in Industrial Park sai they don ¥t have necessary equipment and health supplies to cover their daily necessity. | As they said, authorities gave them trash bags as makeshift protective suits. Furthermore, they stated food portions are not e…telesurenglish.net/news/guatemala-doctors-demand-better-working-conditions-20200514-0010.html

First COVID-19 Case at Rohingya Refugee Camps in Bangladeshtelesurenglish.net | 2020-05-14
A Rohingya refugee has become the first person to test positive for COVID-19 in the vast camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, that house almost a million people, officials said Thursday. At the same time, humanitarian groups have warned the infection could devastate the crowded settlement. | RELATED: | Bangladesh: Hundreds of Rohingya Refugees Stranded at Sea | The local health coordinator, Abu Toha Bhuiyan, initially said two refugees had been put into isolation. The World Health Organ…telesurenglish.net/news/First-COVID-19-Case-at-Rohingya-Refugee-Camps-in-Bangladesh–20200514-0016.html

From Lebanon to Syria, the Arab World is Failing Palestinian Refugees
Ramzy Baroud | mintpressnews.com | 2020-05-13
Heinous racism. That is how the Geneva-based Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor described a recent decision by Lebanese authorities to bar Palestinian refugee expats from returning to Lebanon. | Lebanon's restrictions on its ever-diminishing population of Palestinian refugees is nothing new. However, this event is particularly alarming as it may be linked to a long-term official policy regarding the residency status of Palestinian refugees in this Arab country. | Many were ta…mintpressnews.com/lebanon-syria-arab-world-failing-palestinian-refugees/267521/

From Lebanon to Syria, the Arab World is Failing Palestinian Refugees
Ramzy Baroud | mintpressnews.com | 2020-05-13
Heinous racism. That is how the Geneva-based Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor described a recent decision by Lebanese authorities to bar Palestinian refugee expats from returning to Lebanon. | Lebanon's restrictions on its ever-diminishing population of Palestinian refugees is nothing new. However, this event is particularly alarming as it may be linked to a long-term official policy regarding the residency status of Palestinian refugees in this Arab country. | Many were ta…mintpressnews.com/lebanon-syria-arab-world-failing-palestinian-refugees/267521/

Georgia politicians, activists demand action for poultry workers
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-05-13
Gainesville, GA – COVID-19 virus is spreading quickly among poultry workers and their families in Georgia. In Hall County, northeast of Atlanta, there is a hotspot with over 2000 cases and 29 deaths as of May 12. With roughly 16,500 workers employed by 14 chicken plants across Georgia, and most immigrant families living with two or three generations in one house, the situation is code red. There needs to be an emergency response from the government and the corporations. | Chicken processing is dirty, demanding and dangerous work done mainly by immigrants from Mexico, many of whom are women. The big corporations,…fightbacknews.org/2020/5/13/georgia-politicians-activists-demand-action-poultry-workers

Los New Yorkers: Essential, Underprotected Undocumented Immigrants Struggle to Survive in Epicenter
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-05-12
As the coronavirus continues to devastate New York City communities, we hear the voices of undocumented New Yorkers about how they are surviving the pandemic. Their stories are told in a new ProPublica story headlined "Los New Yorkers: Essential and Underprotected in the Pandemic's Epicenter." We speak with one of the story's reporters, Adriana Gallardo.www.democracynow.org/2020/5/12/los_new_yorkers_essential_undocumented_workers